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Centre for Clinical and Experimental PsychopharmacologyNews and Events

30 Minutes Of Daily Meditation Can Stave Off Anxiety And Depression

Published: 24 January 2014

New research has revealed that anxiety and depression can be warded off with 30 minutes of meditation a day.

Researchers found "moderate" evidence that eight weeks of meditation training improved symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain.

"Mindfulness meditation" - a Buddhist technique aimed at focusing on the present moment - also showed promise in alleviating stress and enhancing quality of life, scientists found.

Researchers analysed data from 47 clinical trials involving 3,500 participants looking at the effects of meditation on a multitude of problems, including depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain and cancer.

They found "moderate" evidence that eight weeks of meditation training improved symptoms of anxiety, depression and pain.

Low evidence of reduced stress and better quality of life was also seen, while there was insufficient evidence for other benefits.

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